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The original Tinder: Would you swipe right on these vintage personal ads?

Susana Guerrero, SFGATE| on August 8, 2017

Photo: George Marks/Getty Images

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Before Tinder, there were personal ads. Click ahead to see personals dated from the 1900s to 1990s that were featured in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Before Tinder, there were personal ads. Click ahead to see personals dated from the 1900s to 1990s that were featured in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Photo: George Marks/Getty Images

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1907: "If any maid or widow with nice home would like to have a nice-looking, honest, sober husband for Christmas, this is a very good opportunity. I am middle aged, possess all the good things that a good husband should own." less

1907: "If any maid or widow with nice home would like to have a nice-looking, honest, sober husband for Christmas, this is a very good opportunity. I am middle aged, possess all the good things that a good ... more

1953: "Is there a man who admires auburn hair and Arthur Murray trained dancer? Then he will want to take this woman out. She’s a widow, affluent, a Peninsula home and convertible. To escape loneliness, she’s counting us to find an appreciative friend and dancing partner."

1953: "Is there a man who admires auburn hair and Arthur Murray trained dancer? Then he will want to take this woman out. She’s a widow, affluent, a Peninsula home and convertible. To escape loneliness,

1953: "Business executives widow, former home Detroit, designed her own patio, arranged furniture artistically in a new home, and now she’s hoping we can fill her lonely hours with an appreciative companion. She plays piano beautifully. Home is in Menlo Park."

1953: "Business executives widow, former home Detroit, designed her own patio, arranged furniture artistically in a new home, and now she’s hoping we can fill her lonely hours with an appreciative companion.

1985: "Attractive & successful young businessman, 32, would like to meet only a beautiful & classy lady 18-39 who is tired of working hard & wants to live well, laugh & love a lot. I’m only interested in a permanent living together relationship/ marriage without children. Prefer someone with exp. Or interest in Real Estate to help me with my business."

“If any maid or widow with nice home would like to have a nice-looking, honest, sober husband for Christmas, this is a very good opportunity. I am middle aged, possess all the good things that a good husband should own,” read one ad from the San Francisco Chronicle archives in 1907.

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Media: Wibbitz

Later in the century, profiles didn’t emphasize marriage as heavily, as shown by some personals in the 1980s. In one ad from 1985, a man had his heart set on someone who could assist with his real estate business — with the precondition that she be beautiful and classy.

“Attractive & successful young businessman, 32, would like to meet only a beautiful & classy lady 18-39 who is tired of working hard & wants to live well, laugh & love a lot. I’m only interested in a permanent living together relationship/ marriage without children. Prefer someone with exp. or interest in Real Estate to help me with my business.”

Take a look at the slideshow above to see personals dated from the 1900s to 1990s.